Another drama premiered this week — SBS’s King of Dramas — which changes up the ratings landscape for Monday-Tuesday dramas. Or at least you’d expect that it would, but instead it has just inherited third place from its predecessor, Faith, which wrapped last week. Its premiere episode netted a 6.5% rating.

That’s too bad since I was hoping the drama-about-dramas starring Kim Myung-min, Jung Ryeo-won, and Choi Siwon would put up a decent fight. I’m itching for a good comedy these days — 2012 has been strangely lacking in those, hasn’t it? — and thought this might fill that void. (True, rival drama Oohlala Spouses is touted as a comedy, but it’s heading into decidedly melo waters these days.)

Speaking of which, Oohlala has been hanging on to second place, and Monday’s episode brought in an 11.5%, while sageuk Horse Healer stayed out in front with a 14.7%. Tuesday’s numbers were slightly more optimistic, but the order remains unchanged: Horse Healer rose to 15.4%, Oohlala stayed level at 11.6%, and King of Dramas improved to bring home a 7.3% rating.

No need to despair just yet, since this is only the beginning. I don’t expect a drastic shift in the numbers — sageuk is king — but King of Dramas has room to bring itself into double digits, and perhaps challenge Oohlala. Watching its first episode, I’m still uncertain how I feel about the show but it has a humorously dramatic vibe that suggests we might be in for some campy fun, and there’s an assured pace and a polish to the look of the thing. Who knows if that sheen will survive the live-shoot, but I’m liking the little details, like freeze-framed moments or ticking clocks or an overdramatic score that’s totally tongue-in-cheek. And, of course, Kim Myung-min taking on another forceful character with all his usual aplomb is another bonus.

How coincidental, I just finished episode 1 a few minutes ago! =) Any drama that can indirectly critique the crazy live-shoot system in Korea and Hallyu wave in the way it did can’t be too terrible…I hope ^^

I haven’t seen the first episode myself but I definitely thought the premise sounded interesting so I agree it’s suprising it had such a weak premiere. I know I’ll be checking it out so maybe it will build up more of a viewership especially after Ooh La La Spouses wraps because it seems like both shows would have a similaie audience.

Jerry Maguire had Tom Cruise, and it worked. King of Dramas has Kim Myung Min, and it does not work. Kim Myung Min – his face, his style of acting, etc. – is of the bygone school of 20th century Korean dramas. If you are a viewer demanding mannerisms and melos in every new Korean drama, there still is some meat left on this bone and so go for it.

The dark horse is Choi Si Won, who is due to enter the drama in Episode 3. We will soon find out if he can stir the pot sufficiently to make King of Dramas worthy of our viewing.

In Episode 1, King of Dramas openly boasted of success in certain overseas markets by Hallyu in general and Korean dramas in particular. I wonder how the viewers in the markets thus named in Episode 1 feel about that. In any event, those markets are low hanging fruits. The biggest prize – the North American market – continues to remain oblivious to Korean dramas and boy idols.

I was also reminded of Jerry Maguire while watching the 1st epi, especially the scene where KMM’s character contacts his star writers. And I agree that KMM’s face, wardrobe, and acting is too over the top, even for satire (his extreme weight loss for previous movies has taken its toll, making him look chronically fatigued). Plus, I seriously cannot see JRW’s character falling in love with him. But I remain slightly more optimistic, and find the underdog theme reason enough to watch a few more epi’s. Maybe KMM’s character will transform into the man we want him to be. I’m curious to see if it’s possible to grow to like him.

I loved the first episode and I’m impatiently waiting for the second one.
I was seriously disappointed by those ratings: Less than Faith = Does. not. compute. Well, it does: No LMH to bring the fangirls and a topic less attractive for the masses. + So many dramas airing on Mon/Tues.
I hope it will get better and I will cheer for this drama to be a success.

I have to say I honestly loved the first episode, the critic to the world of tv/ kdramas began from the second the episode started, and it just got better and better. And I seriously Kim Myung min is pure awesome, yeah i does intense like nobodies business, but been intense in that self assured slightly over the top way of Anthony Kim is something else, cause played by someone else his character would be completely ridiculous. I was laughing with the dramas and Kim Myung min not at Anthony Kim… unlike some other dramas….

Ohh btw has someone checked Can We Get Married? its hilarious, and not your usual kdrama, well at least not in terms of pace… loving Soo Min and Sung Joon

I love the kim myung min’s over the top self confidence. And the three piece pinstripe suit just screamed “i’m awesome and boy do i know it”

And i like jung ryeowon’s pailfull of orange juice revenge. Not your average “throwing a glassful of water in your face in front of everyone at a cafe/restaurant”. This drama does it right! If your gonna pull a revenge stint, go all the way!

And omg can we get married is love. I hope we get to explore hangroo’s pair, and the jerk cousin gets hit by truck. And that lee mi sook’s character, as awesome as she is, becmes less overbearing.

My fave part about that drama is that they fight like real couples. They love each other no doubt, but they fight because they have differences and their personalities clash. Couples dont need to be complete opposities to drive each other nuts irl.

Think we need to become bffs tbh. Can We Get Married is terrific, I was worried it’d take the melodramatic route in Ep 3 because of the teasers but nope, it’s so good. The cast is excellent, and everything hits so true I’m wincing and laughing behind my screen. And King of Dramas is shaping up really really well too.

It really is, i love how even the super emotional parts don’t feel over the top melo like, they feel so real. On all the couples its stuff that you can see happening -not on a suspended believe drama universe way- but to on this happens to people you know way. We all know someone with a mother like that and couples like Jung Hoon and Hey Yoon. Loving it!

It funny, cause while i find him hot, I also find him a jerk… but i can’t hate him like I want him to grovel and loose his cool over hye jin, but i like him as a character. I also wish they develop his story… so far we’ve been given a parts from all the couples so I think they will.

horse healer all the way! though with 50 eps i should have done the smart thing and waited it out then marathon it, waiting a week for next ep is killing me!

and i cant help but be very childish (and immature lols) and try to piss off some Oh la la lovers by bashing their beloved drama! by 2nd week i was bored to tears!!! disappointing! (sorry it was too annoying hearing people complaining abt ‘faith’ every week, repeating the same thing nonetheless,ugh!)

You’re not alone! I haven’t watched horse healer, but did watch the first four episodes of Oh la la… and it had just too much over-reaction and gender stereotypes that I gave up even reading the recaps.

I’d like to find out if there is a negative association between Siwon’s presence and drama ratings (although we can never set up a randomized experiment). Perhaps I’m generalizing but I have noticed that almost all the shows that he has a substantial role in have pretty abysmal ratings (perhaps decent at best).

Me me me!!! I love that there’s not like ott aegyo, its just the right dose, plus i was tickled to find out that the guy is cast as a much older oppa whilst he’s actually younger than her!
Madame Butterfly and Third Ward are also actually good esp the former!

i loved both episodes, so this is disappointing. i do hope the ratings go up, because this show is wonderfully comedic and kim myung-min is magnificence itself. i love his character to death already. and i’m so glad i like jung ryeo-won in this. i usually like her in everything, so i wonder why i tend to have low expectations of her before any project of hers actually airs? hmmm. this and madame butterfly are definitely my top watches currently (and full house!).

King of dramas, episode 1; the pace was fast and the dialog was sharp. KMM’s character is obsessively driven, and seems devoid of compassion but he is not. He is human and likable. The writer is naive but she is sharp, highly verbal , and has a backbone so she has no problem standing toe to toe with Anthony Kim. In episode 2 Anthony Kim behaved in a way that i did not think suited his character but there might be cultural differences the I am unaware of that would justify the actions. The show is fantastic and KMM is a powerful compelling actor.

Pretty disappointing that they got a single digit rating, watched the 1st episode and so far I like it. KMM is the perfect actor to play the arrogant Anthony Kim; his charisma explodes on the screen. Love it that the writer doesn’t make JRW’s character as a weepy weak junior writer, but she stands up and love it when she poured a bucket of OJ to AK.

They’re criticizing PPL in this drama, but I wonder if that OJ is actually one of this drama’s sponsor?

I thought the first two episodes of this show were funny and interesting though the music was a bit too overdramatic …which adds to the funny at times and at others its just kind of annoying….overall I thought this was a strong start, I’m just hoping they can keep it up at this pace especially when the second leads show up next week..also surprised how much I’m loving Jung Ryu Won this year

The first episode was filmed well and fast paced;however, KMM’s character, Anthony Kim, reminded me so much of a thinner reincarnation of his Beethoven Virus character.He is such a egomanical and manipulative person who is very unlikable and unpalatable.

Not a fan of JRW either so I hope Choi Si won will show up soon because I really glad to see him in another drama.

So far, I’m disappointed that this bland predictable plot wasn’t more innovative with such great acting talent.

You have a point, but in comparison to some of the ridiculousness from other recent dramas, I think that this level of implausibility just didn’t seem to bother me at all when I was watching the scene.

Hmm. Body-switching, people with sheep-hair, vampires, selective chronic amnesia… So many strange things happening lately in dramaland. Personally if I was seeing someone with a bucket of orange juice I wouldn’t ask questions. I would probably help carrying it and wish the girl a nice day.

After watching ep. 1, i knew the ratings for ep. 2 would rise and i was right (i’m usually right in predicting the fluctuation of drama ratings)…..Can’t wait to watch ep. 2 since it’s not completely subbed yet but i’m sure it would be awesome like ep.1…..

Here is what I think is wrong with this drama:
1. It’s too clever and niche for the general audience (fast wording, clever dialogues, technical terms, etc)
2. the main topic (life behind the cameras) is unattractive to many (including myself).
3. Lovestory is quite typical(she is poor, but intelligent and fighting to survive, he is rich and powerful and needs her help), but the actors are not young and pretty.
I watched ep. 1, will not watch ep. 2, and skip right to ep. 3 when Siwon shows up. If I like him in this, I will watch it further, if not I’ll quit.

The problem with your theory is that “On Air” who had the same characteristics: Fast dialogue, same topic, good actors but no flower boys, almost no romance, was a hit.http://wiki.d-addicts.com/On_Air_(2008)
Did the audience changed so much in 4 years? Maybe.
But I would bet on “too many rivals”.

Ehm…According to your description i would say on air, is a bit different. First , Park Yong Ha was absoluty gorgeous there, i still miss him. Lee Bum Soo, is so charicmastic that he becomes more than charming…the girls were very pretty, and they weren’t the common heroines cause they were strong, and far more powerful than the males. I loved On Air, becuase of that… And, for me the only similarity to this drama is the “director- writer – drama industry relation”…However, I wil try to watch this drama as soon as posible.

I really loved the first episode. Not sure if it’s a comedy yet. That undercurrent of suspense, greed, etc is good though. So, whatever it is, I’m up for it. The first fifteen minutes of the first episode will have me forever thinking of orange juice and product placement.

Hmmm. The 1st episode makes me think this kdrama has potential. Not exactly comedy material yet, as the intensity and pressure of the industry ended with some pretty awaful results – that go-fer guy dying and a lot of major manipulation. I am liking the second writer though – I’m counting on her carrying the ball – and I the main writer too. Oh, and the lead in the kdrama kdrama – juicy cute!

Was the portrayal of kdramas painfully blunt? and unflattering to the industry and the audience? Or, does that matter? I see others have commented on this as well…

From nate, it is safe to say that viewers love the drama so far and have almost nothing negative to say about it so it…..Hopefully it would turn out to be like History of a Salaryman which started out low (not as bad as 6.5 but was a single digit i think around 8 but ended up with 20% in ratings as the popularity grew online…..

Liked episode 1, almost finishing episode 2 now. This episode is titled “The fall of the lord”. Makes me think that the whole behind-the-scenes drama premise is not exactly the whole soul of the story. It’s probably going to be an awesome “alpha male falls hard and battles to pick himself up, learning important lessons along the way” kind of thing. Although I would find it a blast if “the lord” turns out to be incorrigible at the end.

That said, the “behind the scenes of the drama” environment does give the story a fresh setting, allowing for entertaining scenarios and lines that were not previously afforded by a typical chaebol situation.

And I seriously doubt that the ratings would be very affected by a group of people who feel uncomfortable at the “drama” setting and critique. I believe that most people are intelligent enough to laugh at themselves. Ultimately the plot and execution will carry it through (or not) – waiting for episodes 3 and 4 to make more judgment of this.

I really enjoyed the first two episodes of King of Dramas, but I thought it skated between melodrama and comedy a little weirdly. For example, it’s overly dramatic music and an over-the-top character… and then someone actually dies. And then it happens again in episode 2. I’m hoping it will lighten up a bit, or at least decide what it wants to be.

I can’t believe I missed out on this drama’s premiere earlier this week . Will watch it when I get home tomorrow night. Horse Stealer and Oh La La Spouses aren’t as high as I expected even though they are in 1st and second page in ratings….. I wonder what else is one around the same time..

Please tell me you guys are gonna review this! Haha, I know you guys are free to pick up whatever drama you wish to review but I just feel strongly that this drama ought to be given a chance. I’ve been waiting all year for my drama-crack and this could possibly be it, from the two eps alone!

Enjoyed both episodes!! Love these ‘behind the scenes’ dramas such as On Air & World Within. But I do not know why they always portray scriptwriters as untidy, makeupless with that super volumised permed hairstyle!!

WTF OMG really siwon and all Forum Leaders Drama they the best i really sad for m baby siwon
i hop high ratings
i dont know what love Koreans in drams i dont think love drama comedy and romantic they love sad just sad
i’m sorry the not all but Some of them, but they overpowered the minority >_>